Don't Rip Off Movies

Well, well, well...
The powers that be have snag themselves a spider. One that ripped off "The Revenant" and now ordered to pay over a million bucks for the loss. SO, let me get this straight, you're going to teach a pirate a lesson by making this schmuck pay, when clearly he didn't even have the money to buy the piece of shit movie? Fuck you, Hollywood.

I don't think you should rip a movie ever. But c'mon. The thieving turd is hardly your problem.
The real issue are you assholes who've taken production out of Los Angeles. Why? Because you're ripping off some other poor unsuspecting town.

I'm not entire sure people understand when a movie comes into their town. It's like a carnival. Sure you get a small bit of dough for them to set up stakes. And a few jobs here and there. But once they leave, you haven't really improved your city. Unless you built an infrastructure for it, for the long term (like when Atlanta let Pinewood build a soundstage).  The Mafia is much more respectable when it comes to taking...but then divvying out to the town. At least we know they're crooks.

So it strikes me as funny when crooks say they're being robbed.
But don't rip off movies. Because, the crooks in the ivory tower don't blame themselves...oh no...they take it out on their minions.

Why Did I Keep My Car So Long

I remember going to a shop in Burbank having just bought a BMW at an auction site. A 7-series that would've killed me from the inside out. It was fast, and had a ton of issues. The least being, it was at an auction site.

I got my money back from that sale and took the wad of dough to this shop. The place was tiny and ran by, what looked like a foreign family. I hadn't had my mind set on some luxury vehicle. Other than I needed a car after my Volkswagen was towed away.

That's when I saw this sedan. Which, in a very weird way, is the upgrade of my VW. Sedan, Germany, white, and...simple. When I jumped into the driver's seat, the car smelled...well, aged. It is a 1995. And I got it in 2004. With less than 100K miles. Which meant the car wasn't the main driver for whomever dumped it at this lot. I found a swizzle stick in the glove box. It seemed like an older lady car. The car is SOLID. Real metal. I couldn't get past the smell. It's not leather, just...clean carpet. As if I were moving into a new house.

I paid for the car in cash. In fact, I negotiated it so I gave him the money directly. Counted it out in front of him (I just so happened to have the cash from the BMW thing). And I could see his eyes widen. It was to his benefit to dump a car about to need the major work at that 100K mark. He added taxes. To which I clarified that I only have cash for the agreed upon price. He balked at first. To which I closed the fan of cash and headed for the door. Of course he wanted that sale. To which we sat down...I didn't do a CarFax on this car. Didn't research the history. Nothing. Just felt it was the right car for me. We did the handshake and I walked out the door with the keys. Now, and this still gets me misty, the gravity of what I just did hit me. I had bought my first car. Me. The first car I plunked down cash for. The VW was my parents buying a sensible car for my teen to college years. This was...mine. The first to be in Los Angeles car. I stopped a moment to take a photo and send to my then-girlfriend.

I know some people think this is stupid to think inanimate objects have soul. They may not have souls, but they have history. Now I know people think me dumb for holding onto something that is sucking the money out of me. And I get it. But I don't abandon family. And, as far it's been, it's been the only thing that has been at some pretty important moments. Including my friend's recent wedding.

I woke up one afternoon having just bought her a full tank of gas. And hopped in to go to a friend's house. She sputtered and wheezed. That's odd. I researched what I could and determined it was bad gas. Maybe not. A Mercedes expert concluded it was most likely an engine harness that the cars are notorious for giving out around the 100K mark. He believes it was simply a miracle that it made 226,000 miles. He said in his accent "The last of the great Mercedes." Which I meant to mean...the year after, they went to non-German parts and assembly. I took her home. Or rather, she carried me back to the apartment.

This morning when I went to do my daily check up before going out into the world, I saw she had dumped all her fluids. The gas tank was low, the coolant completely gone. I cranked her a little. She sputtered alive and gave me all the warning lights. Some real. Most not. I just said my goodbyes. And turned the key to off.
That's the last I heard out of her. See, she got me home when I could've been abandoned at work, at the grocery store I stopped at, or on my way home. But she held out, so I made it back. Something to be said about the spirit between a guy and his car.
Thanks.  

Duh-Debate

I didn't watch it. Seriously. I went to Romano's Macaroni Grill where they had THAT and New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons on. The game was dull. As I don't care about the NFC.
But I found it much more interesting than two weirdos duking it out it. There was a guy there, obviously liberal, just screaming at Trump. If you ever want to reconsider the left, this dude would make you do so.

Though...well, these two are who we deserve. I think. I dunno. I'm just going by what everyone else is saying.

"The Magnificent Seven" (2016)

Like my hero William Goldman would say “I LOVE stupid courage.” And by the end of this re-do, you really believe in heroics again.

Now here’s the thing…the other part of this equation is that the people looking for redemption ISN’T the girl who seeks revenge. It’s these guys who, sliding into outlaw obscurity, decide to do the more noble thing. In the John Sturges version…they play this a LOT more. That they aren’t there to save he townsfolk, they are actually using them to buy themselves a place in heaven. Because we know they’ve done terrible things. Director Antoine Fuqua KNOWS how to hit those strings. The grizzled awful sweaty people who populate his movies…find that redemption despite their own selfish needs. Watch “King Arthur” to see how he is basically making the same movie. A strong female warrior, recruiting the assistance of charlatans and them doing the right thing really makes your heart swell.

I LOVE westerns, because my Pop and I use to watch all the time. His English was awful, so those movies made sense to him. To me, I think he really loved the wide open spaces (as I do now). Naturally, I have a skepticism going into this movie. Westerns are really poorly made now. They’re more “frontier” movies than westerns. But, this hit all the familiar territory of those stories. A town that is being terrorized by a land baron. They recruit a bottom feeder (very proficient) gunslinger. And he enlists the help of misfits. Oh, that’s the other thing…these movies where they “assemble the crew” is usually a dull drag. Though, these characters are so much fun, and Denzel’s character Chisolm plays the salve to their feral being, you get so excited that these guys might be touched in the head, but at least they’re on your side.

The girl in this movie is played by a bosomy Haley Bennett. She is a desert flower in pile of manure. This town isn’t the typical dry desolate wasteland (as is most of Sergio Leone’s pics). It’s actually a thriving mini-town. But the people are bullied. And seem to be okay with it. Until they see real corruption up front. And brutally obvious. The land baron is played weasely by Stellan Skarsgard. As a man of means, he’s not satisfied with some, he wants all. And he lectures at the pulpit to the townsfolk. Similar to a Donald Trump. If you don’t like America, leave…and thanks for the land. It’s oily and manipulative, but still highly effective. I know, in the Sturges version, they played up the desperate men a lot more. In this, we don’t know why they decide to take a thankless duty, but like that the information trickles out when it needs to.

Fuqua has said, these aren’t the characters from Sturges movie. He’s right. They are their own haunted guys. Including a Comanche who is slowly watching his land disappear. Why does he fight against these ragtag bunch? Because Denzel knows his plight. Do they have to speak? Nope. They eat. Deer heart. And thus their bond is formed.

Personally, I think Vincent D’Onofrio was the scene stealer (not Chris Pratt as you would expect …though he is EXCELLENT as the gamble). D’Onofrio plays a trapper living in the outskirts of town hunted by other poachers for bounty. He is a bible quoting oddball whose girth intimidates people. We can sense he’s suffered a lot. And his redemption to stay with this crew, seems much more heartbreaking then the rest. That a death would seem like a welcome break. But on his own terms. He also realizes that he was never alone in life. We think he’s just a barreling ape, but find out he’s more.

It was also nice to see a real Mexican and Asian in the mix and not make a MASSIVE deal they are in the movie. Yes, they make the stereotype jokes, but it’s old hat, and people will fill in the blank. I like that it was MORE unsettling that Denzel is a Black man in the west and doesn’t hear a single N-word mention. THAT’S brave! Because people use that to cheapen the hate for the White folk. They don’t make entendres or puns. It just exists like you would think it would. There is something to be said about the decision to not be obvious.

Excellent movie. A solid re-do of a re-do. Wasn’t expecting much, but damn…this movie was thrilling.

Cops Are Dicks To Everyone

It's that Stanford experiment. You put a badge and a gun in any person's being and tell them they are in charge...it's not brain surgery that some will take it to the next level. Use to be, there were next to zero evidence when it came to police brutality. I've never been arrested but have been pulled over plenty of times. My first reaction is to get all uppity. As I'm older, it's hard to take young cops seriously. Because they do come up all hard on you. Makes you really have to check your emotions. So I get it. A macho guy will have issues. Those issues turns to incidents.

Do police need to change or do we? I'm not sure. I know we need to stop the specifically Black thing. Cops are dicks to everyone. They're just authority figures, like...that asshole gym teacher who made you do laps...and then shower with him...I mean...um..Sandusky...

So, we naturally hate these people. And they hate us. Because most of us are dicks right back. It starts in the home where a kid can mouth off to authority nowadays. Yeah, I've said it before. A backhand does wonders to kids who deserve it. But society says this is barbaric. So is being gunned down in the street for not listening. And thinking cops are out to get ya'.

This whole thing about how we need to have an open discussion about police brutality. I thought that's what we were doing. It's not working. I think this discussion needs to somewhat be one-sided. LISTEN to a fucking cop and say "please" and "no sir, yes sir." It does fucking wonders.

Anthology Of Your Craft

The strange benefits (or curse) of working in movies, is that you REALLY get to see where you were and where you are…now. Not everyone in this life will get a living breathing anthology of their work. I came across a 13 year old short film I shot for a friend back in film school. Well, I recall I had a major crush on this girl/director. I’m really not entirely sure why, now that I look back. But maybe something about her nonchalance to life that makes you really want to be around her. Oddly enough, we’re still in contact.

I think if you boil it down, it is more of a evolutionary chart (or in some cases, de-evolution). I can recall with vivid detail sitting in a cage on a soundstage calling my girlfriend on a shitty Ericcson phone on her birthday. I was chain-smoking at the time, so I’d step out after every take really missing her. She was that sort of dependent that made YOU dependent. Hence, why she dumped me. Anyhow, that short film took a ton of years out of all of us. I recall sleeping on the soundstage after two 18 hour days. And the director/girl having to be dragged onto set, half awake. We were all miserable for some reason. Something just didn’t work…everywhere. I was lonely, angry and…lonely. The assistant director took over the production, and quite honestly, between he and I, we dragged it to a conclusion. I recall two producers on the movie that was driving the director nuts. Though I was too tired to care or know. All I knew is they were really excited of us to have quail for dinner. Yes, one of our meals was catered with quail. I could barely taste it between the cigarette I had in my mouth in between bites. The funniest part…my gaffer, whom we went on to do a few more projects, didn’t smoke and would get FURIOUS that we’d all sneak out into the parking lot for a smoke. This took WAY too much time. Considering…well, we were outlandishly behind schedule. We worked really really hard on the movie though. It was my first Panavision shoot. Shooting with their…less than stellar lenses. If I knew now what I knew then…things would’ve been different. Anyway, still looks pretty good despite the awful way it got to the screen. I’ll be completely frank with you readers. I didn’t know dick about what I was doing. At the time, we were shooting with a 200ASA film stock. Which, for a soundstage movie is pretty low. But controllable. This meant we’d light brighter than we had to and turn it down. Well…my mind was already muddled with lack of sleep, so I had to constantly remind myself that we were going to turn down all the lights in post. It still ended up pretty bright. I fucked up the ratio. BUT…it still looks like a movie, since it was shot on film. One of the first big projects at Loyola Marymount to shoot on 35mm film. Which meant, tours came by and watched us. Oh, because walking outside to smoke got cumbersome, we just decided to light up right on the live set. Yes, our dumbasses just started to smoke inside the soundstage. As if we owned it. Guess when the tour came around?

Middle Management Dopes

You will more than likely run into a person like this in the movie business, because it’s somewhat become corporate. I dodge a middle aged middle manager who more than likely, at one point in their life, had aspirations for more. Saddled with a wife and a mid-ranged apartment in Studio City (pretty pricey area) he sees how rich people thrive and he doesn’t. He’s a salaried employee that gets his jollies AFTER work. He’s resigned not to put his energy into creative endeavors. So naturally, in his mind, you shouldn’t either.

Making a movie is hard enough. There are more obstacles than support and you it will most likely suck. I mean your movie. You learn and move on. All movies. I bet you anything Coppola is still wondering about some parts of “The Godfather.” So, this bozo middle manager loves nothing more than to be in your way.

I’m trying to see his point. A 50+ year old White male who plays golf. Time would be better spent, perhaps writing or shooting personal projects. He has COUNTLESS connections to actual talent. Yet, he seems gunshy to approach anyone about anything ever. Except to question what I am doing making my own projects. I know he’s the snitch. But it seems to fall on deaf ears, considering upper management seems to champion me for making movies. So in lies…the passive aggressive moments. Things like asking me to do things clearly out of my job description and clearly meant for a minion. We had a confrontation about that. I don’t suffer these games lightly. Not because I’m some badass, because I simply want to say…IF you need help to make your movies, all he would need to do is ask. I would give him my best advice. But he has no clue where to begin, so therefore, he believes you are less than him. I guess a typical response. I have a co-worker that worked at a different facility that had a similar issue. THAT company puts a massive kibbosh on doing your own movies. I have NO idea why. I suppose several reasons, but none that seem valid. Crashing a system. Using company resources. None of these people are above using any of this to suit their piddly projects (as I’ve seen them do). They grouse when you do the same. As if you’re going to draw a spotlight on their own garbage. The powers that be understand they don’t pay us what the union industry typically does. SO, why not allow the use of the facility. I get that accidents do happen. But, let’s be honest here, a person who spends time, energy and money to do their own project has the detailed mindset NOT to make the mistakes they think exists.

At the previous company I worked for, they had ZERO problem with it. In fact, many people were wanting to get involved (although some were grotesquely jealous and cheering on you to fall on your face) at least management LOVED LOVED LOVED the idea you wanted to make something. They knew your chances of making it big were slim (although, Andy Samberg worked in our vault…I wonder if people mistook him for Adam Sandler, because of the name and look?).

I wonder…if I stuck around into my middle age and haven’t gotten anywhere in life, and lost the gas to do anything whether I would purposely step in some younger person’s way. I don’t think I have that in me. I like helping people where I can. It’s a Midwestern thing, I think. Doing your best to make others’ lives better. No matter if it costs you. I think people like this dude are what make this town awful. Because we all need to help each other. This place is rough, man. Like REALLY rough, and I’ve seen the hard reality creep into my own psyche, which I hate. I love running into newer people here because they have such ambition and hope. I DON’T want to be that asshole that feels they can’t do something. I don’t want to be the problem if I’m not the solution.

Stockpiling Film

Okay...it's sort of an addiction matched with a deficiency somewhere.
I buy film. Now I got a shitload of it. Motion picture film. I probably shouldn't make another short film. As I have some to make feature length. But I don't have much money. Or is tied up in bills and emergencies...and rent. And, most importantly, no script. But I have footage to direct a feature
 Which would be my first. And I could say, I made one. Though, now the logistics hit me. Sound and music cost money. Food for crew cost money. Locations and props cost money.

Betty Shelby

History will now write it as "White Tulsa cop Kills Unarmed Black Man"
See, you read it, and you're outraged. I'M outraged. Why?
They leave out the fact that she's a woman. Damn.
How ridiculous has this become...?
...we don't know the full story. Yet, we already throw everything we can on top of it.

And this coming from someone who wants SWIFT justice.

Driving While Black

One of the overlooked issue is that cops going out into the world start by being saturated by prison. The majority in prison are Black. So once they get on the streets, their natural reaction is to assume the worst. Any color of cops. IF Blacks are honest with themselves (yes...generalization) they need to come to terms with this statistic. And it can't be that the world is against you. That's not good enough. And you sound like a child for going there. And quite honestly people like the ones not standing for the anthem are children. Holding their breath till they turn blue so we can listen to them.
The dynamics have changed in which children do hold parents hostage. They seem to have more righta than anyone which is really fucked up. If you're a parent you should be able to discipline your child and as the public we should back that parent.
But nowadays, we back a child who takes a knee because he doesn't like what the anthem says. Motherfucker, we should backhand you and send you to your room. Then the public should be cheering. Instead, we're actually taking a child seriously. Okay...see how far that goes. Maybe we can re-name Nebraska into "Silly Putty Land."

Now with the concept of "Driving while Black" if you are a successful Black guy and drive a nice car you tend to get pulled over. Bull-fucking-shit. If you are young and drive a nice car...you're more likely to get pulled over. And honestly...even THAT shit is garbage. Maybe I'm looking more carefully now since my car got stolen by a brown person...but how are young people in nice cars with dealer plates not taken off the road immediately. THAT stinks to high heaven.

Protesters Are Fucking Stupid

There's way too much shit going on in my life right now to even take the time to protest. Go ahead of accusing me of not giving a shit about society. I'll wait.

Right, I have SO MANY FUCKING BILLS. Who are these idiots who have the time? I feel like I'M missing something here. Can I tell my landlord rent is going to be late because I skipped out of work to protest? Or just tell gas and electric I'm not going to pay them because I've got to protest against police for shooting a complete stranger. As if it were my business.

Fuck you assholes. All you're doing is making work tough for the rest of us. And clogging up traffic worst than it already is. THAT is THE single most narcissistic shit I've ever heard. And before you accuse me of looking out for my best interest, does that mean you'll pay my bills as my ass is in prison?

People...this is NOT of any concern to you...now. Not on a fucking weekday. You're pissing off your fellow citizen by prohibiting them from actually going to work. I've got so many bills to deal with. Most likely paying taxes so YOU can protest. Fine, I'm good with that. But do it at a time where I'm not stuck at traffic. Also, none of you really are that outraged. You just want to riot. Go fuck yourselves. I wish I can burn down the lawyers' offices that will get rich off this. You want to REALLY see how slow justice is? Do that. Again, Americans who make shit, don't burn shit. So get making and less burning. Please.

Garry Marshall

One of the least appreciated directors ever.
Garry started out in television creating "Happy Days" and "Laverne and Shirley" then, at the age of 47 segued into feature directing.
He's not a showy dide...though in commentaries you would believe he would be wild and gregarious. Which he was. But it was never like you would think a director handled himself. He was a family man and yet...often corny, he was a good guy.
He wasn't a weirdo for weirdo sake like Werner Herzog or Stanley Kubrick. He rarely considered Method acting as serious acting. And he never suffered mental cases...or junkies like a Heath Ledger. In short...he just treated making movies as a job and loved to entertain.
Many young folk unfortunately now are saddled with the awful "holiday" movies he created in his dying years. Though...if I knew I was on my way out...I would want to surround myself with a less than stressful project with pretty women. Speaking of which...who else could've turned a dark hooker tale into a super hit. He was smart enough that Julia Roberts needed to end up with Richard Gere regardless of how many dicks have been in her mouth.
When Garry Marshall passed...a little bit of my joy for sitcoms died. I remember his shows were in line with my own silly sense of humor. A goofball with a heart.

Sexual Deviants In Hollywood

I know...obvious. But we're not talking about Richard Gere gerbils in ass...that's tame shit. In fact, that's vanilla compared to the Coreys (Haim and Feldman) about to blast a-lister producers in the face. Although, Haim has died, Feldman is still very much alive and not squawking for fear of reprisal.

Not sure anyone can do more to him than what they've already done. It's unconscionable and odd that ANYONE would want to molest young men (fuckin' priests). So it strikes me as odd that he doesn't spill the beans on the asshole who made his life miserable, and, in turn give TMZ tons of oddball behavior from a washed-up child actor. One, incidentally, who befriended a suspected child molester Michael Jackson.

I'll be square with you guys, I'm not privy or savvy to a lot of this shit. I thought I had a perverted streak liking to see slightly chubby blonde women get it on. I didn't realize when you're given the keys to the castle, skies the limit. And that sky meant demoralizing and embarrassing young actors. How did Rob Lowe not tell more about HIS exploits. No doubt he was propositioned. Because he's really dreamy.

This place is super homo. And if you add pedophilia into it, fuck this business. There are more important things in life than being famous. Like living a life where you're not molested by homos. At least wait until you're of age...Bryan Singer.

Cop Killed Black Fellow In Tulsa

Yep. Broken record here.
Probably more so that it's the media's agenda to report this. And the outrage that follows. Never mind a retarded red-headed White fellow was beaten to death by a cop a year back, because he was...um retarded and couldn't comply.

But that's not news, because we have to be angry now.

You know, I've said it before, nowadays...even video is disputed. The Black fellow had a broken down car and he was surrounded by four cop cars. A FEMALE officer drew on the guy, and thought he may have been going back to his car to get something, which is when they open fired. Bitch, you ever think of shooting in a spot that doesn't kill him?

Well, here's the problem now...the video is awful, as in...you can't see shit. And who knows what he said or was doing prior to it. Many will ask "Do you fucking deserve to get shot when you're unarmed, motherfucker?!" To that I'll respond "Geez, Mom...stop watching news if it makes you this upset."

But seriously though, cops are dumb and itchy these days. I don't blame them. News perpetuates the fact that we hate them. And it certainly doesn't help that we more than likely give them reason to do so. Like act like assholes. I sometimes do. But not to cops. Fuck, I'm scared.

It's not like we're hiring smarter cops either. How about arming them with potato guns.
Shit.

Muslim Terrorist Caught

Yeah, he's a Muslim and he's a terrorist. Call it like it is.

New York got bombed again. As well as New Jersey (but people didn't seem to notice...bad Jersey joke).
Anyway I think we have to come to terms that Muslims don't like Americans. So it seems. The ones who do are being overshadowed by the ones who don't. And that's a shame. Because I have no beef with Muslims. My cousin is Muslim. Not that THAT should matter. But he's a good guy. He just looks at me real judgmental like in my Western ways. Though I think he lives a much more morally upstanding life than I ever would. He helps retards in the mountains somewhere. I visited him once. Really cool place.

So, it sucks for everyone. We can't keep ignoring that it is Muslims who are doing this. Consistently. I understand the occasional racist, or mental illness but...we're talking a true ideology that doesn't take imprisonment or pills to fix. I've always contended an act of treason against the United States is execution. We can't constantly believe that rehabilitation for people like him are possible.

Ahh...Football...

It's so odd that a game so rooted in violence can bring families together. I guess the natural comparison is to gladiator sports. Will generations down the line look at us and think us savages? Probably for other things. But for the time being....Black/White Asian Hispanic...rooting for a like minded team brings people together. I use to go to a bar in North Hollywood that was a rouuuugh Raider bar. I never had beef with them but Steeler fans and them and Chiefs fans never got along. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. We'd grouse about how the bar has gone downhill since they let those animals in. A friendship was forged. Even our enemies who we talk shit to become our friends. My friend Doc is a massive Steeler fan because his Dad lived the Eagles. He is Black and gay. So naturally the hatred he felt for his Dad extended into choosing a team different than his. Doc and I would get plastered and talk massive smack to one another. In the end...we loved each other like brothers. I continue to fuck with him about the Steelers and he would dig at me about my lowly Bengals. Shows how much we really are alike. Gay, Black, Asian, White...we bond at ground level.

Despite all talk about how the NFL is about criminals and thugs....I can't but defend them by saying how much it means to cities across America. In Los Angeles...which now has a team...we run into random fans of random teams. And we can tell who's the fan by all the stats we sling around.
It's football season.

System Failure

If you still have big dreams to work in the film industry so you can be a star of some kind…you probable want to stop reading now…

…okay.

Really now…

…alright, the issue of fame is over.  You will never, in any capacity of entertainment, be a star in any field. BECAUSE, the curtain has been pulled. YouTube destroyed the mystique and the rest of the world praised themselves for it.

The issue is this…subpar digital cameras got into the hands of consumers. In my day, we had camcorders whose quality is nowhere NEAR film. Today, it comes so close, no one cares. And it can be gotten easily. The vendors panicked and now any 8 year old who can push a button can make their neighbor a “star.” Most are really terrible productions. Some have merit. Though, just because it’s slightly better than the terrible, we’ve downsized to acceptable. That is so fucking sad, I can’t even explain it.

The democratization of filmmaking meant the learning curve is non-existent. The quality suffers massively. And businesses naturally focus on the bottom line. A digitally shot movie LOOKS LIKE SHIT. Though the last three Oscars were won by films shot digitally. What does that tell you (no, fuckface, I don’t need to accept film is dead)? That it’s business driven. Had the cinematography awards been voted on strictly on quality rather than commerce, we’d be looking at more film based movies (as we’re seeing now). I sincerely doubt the cinematographer on those movies is any where near as proud of those movies than his previous ones on film. It’s a colorists’ world now.

The other thing is…and this should REALLY irk actors. Anyone can do it. SO they think.

Yep, all those hard earned hours studying and learning and mentoring with massively talented actors? You’re left with a teenager who made the “sobering drug movie of the year.” See, that’s not a story, that’s something you know is bad that happens and you piggyback on the message. This business has gotten so fucking retarded, it rewards…”good enough.” But…maybe I have to keep looking at it this way…BUSINESS!!!!! Yes, cheaper cheaper cheaper. Images don’t look better because of higher resolution. Images look better to these assholes because it’s cheaper.

Us building you up is over.

And if you think I’m full of shit, consider Al Pacino, Josh Duhamel and Anthony Hopkins, Alice Eve, Malin Ackerman, Julia Stiles were in a less than $10 million dollar flick. The name alone would have you break even. It barely broke $100 in the UK box office. Yes, that number isn’t missing zeroes.

So why do I make movies? Well, I do and I don’t. I like telling stories to entertain. I do it on my own dime. And have very little aspirations to have studios pick me up. Much like the people I surround myself with, maybe it changes the dynamics of filmmaking back to craft. Instead of people chasing the market.

9/11 "Fight Club"

In all the football hoopla, I forgot it was 9/11.
You know what's funny? Most of us assholes were cheering at the end of "Fight Club" when they blasted the skyscrapers throughout the city (in Delaware, I've been told) since it was the capital of credit card companies. Yes, cheered.
More than likely a bunch of poor schmuck's cars were destroyed in the mix. And I'm sure a few were working late.

When Arabs did it on 9/11, we were outraged. Yes, one is a movie, the other...reality. But it made me wonder (and laugh) how much bullshit we put into a building, which is the symbol of American greed, into martyrdom. Had they destroyed those buildings without collateral human casualties, I'm sure they'd be heroes. As it were...a bunch of crazy Arabs.

Oh shit...the first rule...

Dabo Swinney Clemson Coach on Race

When asked about Colin Kaepernick's protest against the national anthem...coach Swinney went into a diatribe about how far we've come since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essentially telling America we're not so bad. And we're not. He's right. But he shouldn't have chimed in on this popular kids bullshit. That's how gangster rap took off. If u didn't understand it...you weren't one of the cool kids.
Blacks are exclusionary to Whites when it came to stuff like this. Trends, these days, are set by Blacks. Clothes, music and accessoriea you will not outdo the Black culture.

So....another hip new thing where shitheads on ESPN radio want to lash out on Swinney for answering the question directly. First off...a lot of us are sick of the politically correct answer. In 1990 when crack went nuts in the inner city, no one staged a protest of the American flag. Because they took ownership of the addiction. It wasn't until some shithead piped up and blame our government for introducing it into the inner city that they started latching on to victimhood. No you dumb crack head...you put the glass dick in your mouth. So the "oppressed" remained blaming everyone...but themselves. Swinney was simply saying...we all need to calm the fuck down. Colin was abandoned by his Arab/Black family and adopted by a Caucasian one. Instead if being a decent QB...he took the Kardashian fame route. Better to be a trend than to have talent. Which is why the outrage on Swinney perplexes me. He's saying the opportunities are available, if not now slanted towards minorities excelling. I have no excuse. You have no excuse. People double down when you back them in a corner.
People will hear what they want to hear. My impression of the press conference was that America didn't do this to anyone. You forced people to take stock i what is available to you and then turned it into them being racist. Well played...I guess.

Central Michigan beats Oklahoma State

I went to school near Michigan and I could not tell you where this fucking school was. Central you say? Go look at a map.
In a last minute what looked like a hail mary hook and ladder play CMU got a miraculous ricochet and win. Well...problem was...that play never should have happened. In the previous play Oklahoma State threw the ball away, essentially taking an intentional grounding penalty. Officials thought that gave CMU one last play. Nope. See, Okl St coach Mike Gundy had his QB just throw it...instead of running around Tecmo Bowl style and falling to the ground. Why? To me...that play alone makes you complicit with the stupidity of the officials. I honestly didn't know that rule either, but I'm also not an officials. Which most likely costs Okl. State millions of dollars. As they were a ranked team.
Now there's a push for CMU to offer the win to Okl. State. As if playing to the wire and losing to a 3rd tier team was going to change anyone's opinion now.
I feel CMU should keep the win. An amazing story to tell when they realize they're stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Los Angeles Rams Monday Night Game

It sums up LA in general. All hype weak in the center. Now they played the 49ers in Levi...but to get shut out 28-0...? Coach Jeff Fisher got some 'splainin.

They were embarrassed. As a pro team that people paid dough to watch...well...it couldn't happen to a nicee town. Pretty appropriate too...a total blank.

Why am I so tough on The Rams? Hype. This whole fucking town is building itself to fail. Consistently. They are so proud to be...popular with no substance. The defenders can simply say you're jealous of the weather...weeeellll...if weather is all we got...i guess it proves my point. The other thing...we're jealous of the "hot blonde." That's LA...the prom queen who doesn't know you exist. Why should she care what you think. So the stench of failure is always a hater's last stand. That's cool. Keep losing...home opener coming up...we'll see the typical LA flee of fans. I mean...we always have fair weather here.

It's A Camera Not A Wand

"You're the guy who makes _______ look great" very untrue. Nature makes them look great. Photo shows it. I would love to take credit for it, but it'd be bullshit. See the thing is...camera doesn't lie. Photoshop will. Or you working with it can. BUT the camera itself shows good, bad and ugly. Talent really does so much to modify how they look. Some, in fact, would spend hundreds of thousands on their own makeup person because they think it helps. Can I tell you...Steven Seagal had his own makeup person. Couldnt make him look more fat. But...if he feels better we all win.
Okay, look...I like that people give me this credit. If people feel I make them feel much more comfortable in front of the lens then yeah I did my job.
This dawned on me when people I've never met werr curious that I was the dude who shot images they were impressed with. I'm really flattered anyone gives me the chance to see how the world sees them. Pretty people seem to be clueless. It's weird.

Wedding Photos

The reason why I don't really do wedding photography is because it is really difficult to make look right and interesting. There really is no way, because...I'm not sure why. I think it's like headshots, you have locked into...a specific that people want.

So it goes without saying that I really really REALLY dislike. Unless it's for a really great friend/family. I think also, because things are on the move. I've watched many a tag-team husband wife team REALLY nail it. They are moving all the time. They know exactly where things need to be, BUT, christ almighty is is work. I know most professionals charge a TON to get these people. But, to be honest, there are a handful...simply a handful that people look at anyway. I don't have the skill set to do that type of photography, because I need people to stop and think about what they're doing. On the day of your wedding...there is no way you're thinking about me. And that's perfectly fine. Because it's stressful. SO many dramas pop up where you didn't even realize there was going to be drama. It sucks. And I know why they get paid top dime. I am actually sad for a lot of those types of shooters, because I know they want to please the bridge a LOT. I mean...A LOT. She is ultimately the one who decides if she's happy with the way she looks. Most of the time, I can't imagine they're ever happy. And if it comes down to the business, it is word of mouth.

There is also the very interesting caveat of wedding photography which believes that no one really looks at these images until...you get divorce or a spouse dies. Yes...kinda. I've had some engagement photos I've sent blown up to poster size, which I was shocked, shocked! to see in their living room. They look really dapper, and was surprised they used my shitty down-resolution image to print. I'm not fishing for compliment here, it was low resolution. But it STILL looked good. Why? Shoot on film. Digital would've been too clean. Film gave it...well, a vintage look. I guess that's "in" now.

I love photographing my friends though. If they're willing victims...I mean subjects. The rigamarole of filming is hard on your brain though. I waffle a lot because the light moves and what you think would make a great photo sometimes comes out looking like total shit. Then you have to move. And people have to feel uneasy or lose confidence in you. I guess that's why they shoot a ton of digital images for weddings. SO they CAN weed out the ones that don't work.

I've seen enough wedding photos now that seem to make me cringe at the style. I'm pretty much a shooting gallery, which seems a bit too stilted sometimes. Posed...kinda' works. We'll see.

Broncos Beat Panthers

I like both teams. Because they seem to come from the same good place. Carolina is a working class place with decent people, as does Colorado...with the exception of mental illness shootings.
I only watched the first half of this game, but it was a good one. A young kid who fell into quarterback position named Siemian rose above the Cam Newton hype and squeaked by 21-20. To me, and I've always said....a guy who can win the close ones are going to do well in the pros. Maybe they won't want the starter back...i can't even figure the guy's name. So many damn new faces in the league from no-name schoola. Another great sign there is parity in college football now too.

I really liked the fact that this young kid hung tough and won it. To get you an idea of Cincinnati Bengals history, often a backup would enter only to lose in an awful way. That means they just didn't prepare or have a contingency plan. I like that AJ Maccaron is that guy now. I think he's starter ready. So that's better than anything we could hope for. Bengals open against the Jets in NY. We'll see if they have the tenacity to win

Colin Kaepernick Hates America

Look...if that asshole doesn't think he should stand during America's national anthem...i feel i can make shit up about him. Smug shitbag NFL player getting paid millions in American greenbacks means he probably should turn in all his dough. Because they all have symbolism that charts back to the people he's protesting against. Yep...give it all back. Otherwise....you're just a windbag.
I hate his stupid oversized whoknows-what the-fuck he is face. And he's not even a good player.

Homie got mich more press for this than his half-speed play.

I believe in freedom of speech. I don't care for what he says...but it's nice to see this backfire since he'a not a valued player. He's getting a taste of reality.

Kayla's Snowflake

I keep a really odd looking snowflake art work from my niece, Kayla:

What I absolutely love about it is how it came to be.

As I was sitting at my sister’s home in Cincinnati, I was observing her make a snowflake. She used a brown crayon.

“you know snowflakes are made of water?” I asked her.

She looked up from her drawing. And shrugged.

“water is usually seen as blue right?”

She continued to color that brown snowflake. Oh well,  I thought, perhaps she’s looking at real Ohio snow, which after the dirt, it is pretty brown.

The next day I went back out to hang with Kayla again (she much more fun than Ben, my teenage nephew, since he’s too cool for everything). I was reading to her from some book when she disappeared into her art corner and came back with…

…a blue snowflake.

Just when you thought they weren’t listening. Or didn’t care.

I think the lesson for me here is…words to a little kid make much more of a difference than when you’re an adult. Be open minded to understand the world around you.

How does she find the time with all the housework?:

 

Dentist Bummer

So as I sit here waiting to go to the dentist, I know I have some major surgery on my stupid face to make me feel better. The nurse/receptionist simply said "we'll get you back to normal."

Aw fucking shit. Normal for me was being hotheaded and angry. This new pain in face/neck/shoulders and jaw seemed to dull the pain of memory. She smiled as I looked at her in horror. I suppose she thought it was because of this procedure that I was freaking. Nope, it's that I will feel those god-awful resentful feelings I've had deep inside which had been submersed in...a tooth infection.

Man...I'm a bit bummed. Though, at the same time, really relieved to find out, it wasn't the drinking that was causing my dizzyness and disorientation.

I will be, however, glad I won't feel as much anxiety anymore. Seems the infection is fucking with my head a little. So the dentist said. You know really fucks with my head...the damn price tag. It's not cheap to live.

In Defense Of "Roseanne: Season 9"

Why would I be writing about this television series and on Season 9? Because it has been greatly touted as THE VERY WORST ENDING in the history of television. I argue, “A.K.A. Pablo” was much more devastating. Having the Mexican deported isn’t funny.

But I won’t blame you, because…SPOILER…if you intend to watch the series…

Having the most interesting most charismatic character die in awful. And heartbreaking to end a series that was so beloved by blue-collar television onslaught.

Here’s why I think it works..

In the beginning of this season, it was determined that Roseanne was going to go off the beaten path. This meant the walls of their home would be open. Let’s face it, you can only do so many “we’re poor” jokes before that dog don’t hunt. They have to have some breaks in life. And so, Roseanne invented the idea that they win the lottery. To which it changes them all. And although this is shoehorned in…the mental disability of Dan’s mother…we realize it was simply to get him to go out of town to fall into an affair. Somehow…much like what we assume we couldn’t let a good guy like Dan (John Goodman) become a bad guy, he constantly had to reiterate that he didn’t bang his mother’s nurse in California. This sets up a scenario of “winning” Roseanne back. Yes…if we were to watch this immediately…we think this was too forced. It makes sense later.

And so Dan and Roseanne get back together and the children have children, and everyone grows up before our eyes. The introduction of Mark (Glenn Quinn, who tragically died of a drug overdose later in real life) first is a contentious bad boy love interest for Becky (Lucy Garanson and later Sarah Chalke) then a mousy artist sensitive hipster-before-hipster David (Johnny Galecki), then Fred (Michael O’Keefe) for Jackie (brilliant from first season to last by Laurie Metcalf) and also Nancy (Sandra Bernhard), and someone who COMPLETELY falls off the face of the planet Krystal (Natalie West) who is supposedly Roseanne’s very best friend and marries Dan’s father. None of this comes into play nor has closure. Which also, the youngest son, D.J. (Michael Fishman) doesn’t have the ending either. Why? Got me. Darlene (Sara Gilbert) also softens too much in this season. To a point where you REALLY miss the old days. The gas had been let out of this season but look…let’s face facts…Roseanne was DETERMINED to make this be a blue-collar comedy. And I love her for it. I love that it was about a working class actress/comedian finally come to terms with the insanity that was her life. If she conjured these scenarios for these episodes concludes with her explaining why…we get the closure we need. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to realize Dan doesn’t continue with the family. Devastating, yet true. The writing basement she was gifted many seasons prior becomes the very place she went to cope with the loss. And why not. I use this blog to cope with many losses. And if I could re-write a lot of my history, I would. If only for entertainment purposes. In life, we don’t get to chip the edges that cut us deeply. We simply move around and mold around. If we’re flexible. To me, all these episodes are crushingly direct and obvious. And I hate to say it…boring. The jokes land as flat as ever. BUT…I think this season functions perfectly now that you can binge watch and get the entire tone of what it became. I am absolutely impressed with the bravery it takes to end a series like this. Melancholic in nature. Cuts to the core of artists who often feel the world should be one way and constantly disappointed that the reality rears its head.

To the people who desperately wanted “Roseanne” to end on a high note…I understand why as well. But it wouldn’t be honest. Honesty is that deep pain is truth. I wager if she sugar coated the ending, we would be left with something less poignant. To be fair, was it a series she conjured up completely from life experiences…most likely. Borrowed here and there…we get…mm…maybe an exaggeration. Or maybe a half truth. Or someone else’s truth. The point is, whether Roseanne had lived it or not, it is very convincing that she had appropriated it somewhere.

If this season is devastating to you, go back and watch an earlier episode to cleanse the palate. To me, this is the inevitable end no one asked for, but is deserved.

Bowling Green State Film World

At Bowling Green State University, it never occurred to me that an Asian kid (which there were only a handful INCLUDING my sister) who went into the arts would be considered a homo. Which made sense considering the town was known for tractor pull. Never mind “the townies” never thought it also had on their sign…figure skater Scott Hamilton and Dodgers legend Orel Hershisher. Oh wait…his name is Orel.

We also had bad ass motherfuckin’ Black-exploitation actor Bernie Casey. Who played football though. So he was no homo. For the white folk, Bernie was the head of the Lambda Lambda Lambda chapter in “Revenge Of The Nerds.”

I didn’t even hide the fact that I loved the arts and wanted to make movies. Of course, I was more Scorsese touched than…Goddard (look it up, you uncultured apes!). There’s a scene in “Rushmore” that really summed up the experience of making short movies at “Bowling Green State University.” Which is the scene where the bully who has been harassing Schwartzman’s character (I’m really terrible with character names) is asked to be in one of his productions. To which the bully instantly ceases to be a bully. In other words, when I asked seemingly non-artists to be in my short movies, the stopped thinking it was for homos. I think we all have that narcissism in us.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a homosexual. One of the reasons that I got into movies was to meet girls. Just that the movies I watched happened to overlap with women homos liked. I had a crush on Donna Reed & Vivien Leigh and…well, you get the picture. While gay dudes probably wanted to be like them, I wanted to bang them and have them cook me breakfast (side note: apparently Vivien Leigh was a nymphomaniac and bi-polar. I doubt she would have a recipe for chicken cacciatore). I actually met the girl I loved really deeply there trying to get her to be in one of my movies. She was a sculpture student sitting outside propped against the art building. I approached her and asked if she wanted to be in my movie. Like some dirtbag producer. Who makes fucking movies in Northwest Ohio? She probably thought. She seemed street tough (from Baltimore), but her soft sad light green eyes looked up at me suspiciously, took a pull from a Winston cigarette and said a flat “no.” I reeled a little. Somewhat hurt that someone wouldn’t be a) flattered b) jumping to be in a movie. I pitched harder. I danced like I was on “Solid Gold” (80’s reference). She just went back to smoking. And I walked away, tail firmly between my legs. Incidentally, she became my girlfriend that same year and we dated on and off…for the next seven years! She would remind me of that day here and there. How corny it was to attempt to get a date by making a movie. Which, I can reveal now, it honestly was to get her to be in my movie. She’s now married to another guy and have children somewhere in Pennsylvania.

So, it goes without saying, a lot of what I did would some off as gay there. Probably gay in society alone. Things like…thinking. Thinking deep thoughts, smoking and doing art is Super-Homo. Think about the dudes who work on cars or motorcycles. They don’t fucking think about deep shit. That’s fag shit. I also started hanging out with my 50 year old landlord and her business partner, another middle aged woman, who ran a hair salon outside of town. They were these adorable (gay word) women who owned the apartment I lived in. So I’d stop off to drop off the check but then get a haircut or just chit-chat about town. They fascinated me since they were there since the town was there (I mean their family). They never told me if they were married, or maybe…

Old people story always fascinated me, because, they knew a time when things appeared simpler. Whether it was true or not. I tend to share those stories now about the 1980’s, which I’m learning Ronald Reagan wasn’t the Cabbage Patch mutton head doll we all believed he was. Uncle Ronnie was so…um…adorable.

Anyway, I talked their ear off about movies. In fact, I had my hair streaked one time like Max did in “Mad Max” but I came off looking like Tiffany, from “Breakfast at Tiffanys” (which I know her name was Holly Golightly, but it’s funnier this way).

I was pretty sullen for that town. For Bowling Green State. I found things to do WAY before the internet. I could drive from small town to small town and hit a wayward bar and take photos. I liked venturing out (since my dorms were so boring). Come back, eat and drink myself into a stupor while watching movies. Or playing video games. We’d take group trips to the mall and fuck around there too. A lot of fodder for stories…if I could remember them.

I know a lot of people may shit on the school for being in the middle of nowhere. But things build up. I personally liked I was so isolated. And miss it, as I type in the shithole of Van Nuys. I call this a “shithole” because SO many people have no idea how much better it can be with more space. Breathing room. Maybe some people like others breathing on them.

Those days hold a great deal of fondness for me. Because there was a lot more clarity, in terms of what I was going to do. And doing it. Though, a lot of reckless behavior stunted my growth. I loved that the community supported our nonsense. Community may exist in Los Angeles, but it seems to be that people bring out their own community and don’t venture as far.

Film Festivals

I know it’s unfair.

I had the resources of…post work done by people who’ve colored professional grade feature films. I’m saying “Transformers” & “Spectre” or “Star Wars” caliber. So, I can only say…it’s similar to when a person at karaoke knows they’re really good but shows up at karaoke to sing. Everyone knows they should be professional but are “slumming.” It’s unfair. It’s not an ego thing to say that. But I get access to people who have standards that have to be billion dollar quality. Even as I spent less than a few thousands of dollars to make mine.

I didn’t think I’d enjoy a film festival, but it’s actually fun. Never mind it does nothing for me. And that I know the hopes of a lot of people (including the massive breasted girl who sat in the front row who was the actress of the first short we saw) are doing this as a calling card to be discovered. In some way.

Let’s face it, JJ Abrams isn’t going to pluck any of us out of the pack. So, this…to many, is the pinnacle of their filmmaking lives. I really don’t have the aspirations to helm a million dollar production. As I don’t think I have the chops to sustain that workflow…yet. But I do enjoy working a job that allows me to putter around with a muse. I know people who solely do this to gain traction in the industry rely on any exposure. I simply enjoy the bits and pieces I get to do.

I consider myself very very fortunate and blessed that I have talent that surrounds me. Though I often drop the ball. It’s so comforting to realize that people do look out for my interest, even if I don’t sense where my interests lies.

The other day I asked my friend...why did you get into making movies? What’s in it for you? I suppose the constant answer is the attention one gets from these things. Glory perhaps. The ability to manipulate. To ascend to where others hope to. Guide emotions, whether it be thrill, scare or sadden. It’s a very powerful tool. Or maybe give hope where it’s needed. If we’re to dissect a movie that transcends it all…say something like “Star Wars” it’s simply giving someone escape for a few minutes of their lives. To answer some questions or give someone so much to think about. I’ve often questioned my own bullshit when watching a movie…say about the civil rights movement. If someone can get you to admit you’re wrong…then you can move on with life. If someone can sidestep their past and move on with living…that’s okay. If the movie speaks to you…and you find comfort…I’m proud of what I was able to do. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of these reasons are why you got into making movies. If it’s just to make money…then you’ll have a long wait. If you really love the craft, I wish you the best.

Director Friends

There was a young dude at work, who I first thought was retarded. He's walleyed. Bespectacled. And odd. He asks weird questions. And is skittish.

How was I to know he's directed a feature film. Yes...on film.

So here I am being a total douche assuming very little people. As people probably assumed of me. We talked a bit. And the more he spoke the more I knew he knew the score of this town. He is from the east coast. An art student. And you can tell the newer filmmakers because their compositions are so...stiff. All David Fincher influenced. It doesn't blow my skirt up, but you can't deny the skill that is involved in being economical in shots. They are well crafted movies. Except he had nothing but horrid things to say about his first foray into feature directing. To be fair, he is a writer first and a director second.

His movies are really good. In fact, eye popping, high-skilled good. So why hasn't he been given more chances. Even though this one feature was buried into the annals of straight-to-stream world (this was roughly 5 years ago). I can't tell you the answer. There are people who are far less skilled working consistently. It could be his inability to deal with people? I'm not sure. Autistic people have genius but lack the human interaction, They'd rule the world if they had both parts.

I'm still not sure why that opportunity hasn't been made available to the guy. He's a nice enough dude, but it must be grating to work in a cage which is post-production.

It's really painful to know that even talent limits you. You can't help to determine how much luck is involved. And the perfect blend between talent and the right person watching your movie.

It's a strange business we work in.

College Football!

Ah, college football season. Somehow this year, I’m not as jazzed or paranoid to miss an Ohio State Buckeye game. It didn’t help that the opening game was against my alma mater Bowling Green State University and quarterback (yes this will be dated in the future) J.T. Barrett made many records off the lowly Falcons. They aren’t lowly, Buckeyes are mean sons-of-bitches. That’s how they should be. Especially since this year the Big 10…as usual, is seen as a bunch of fluffsters. That they play jabroni teams. I mean…their schedule is weak. Never mind that these schedules were decided years in the past. Oh well. Can’t pleas them all. I was torn between my love of Ohio State football versus my allegiance to Bowling Green State. I quietly voiced my choice by NOT wearing my Buckeye jersey today. I’m good with that.

Anyhows…I did have my friend the Van Man come over to watch his (AP decided, NOT me) third best ever in the history of college football Alabama Crimson Tide play USC Trojans. I don’t like either team, but in this case, I think I went for the underdog of USC who were ranked 20^th and Tide are ranked #1. I have no problems with them being ranked 1 since I’ve always thought of that position as cursed. Many a year Buckeyes have been ranked 1 only to lose to the dumbest of teams. I always think it’s better to climb. It was good to see USC get humbled. Mostly because I didn’t attend their stupid fucking film school (wasn’t accepted). I have friends who are Trojan loyalist and it grates on me. Because they’re rich kids. And snobs. And cornballs about Southern Cali sports, to which I’ve always credited real football to cold weather (fuck you Texas).

There, the competitive nature of footballs is coming out in me again. It’s a good feeling. That’s the key word “feeling.” As in I can feel some emotion towards something that is tradition. I must’ve experienced deep nerve damage that hurt my ability to gauge emotion. To which I’ve compensated by talking louder and by waving my hands more. I think I know now why people get to be downers as they get older. See, this whole process of sports on a seasonal basis…well, I’ll be honest, this is the best time of year. And yet, I don’t feel that same swell in my heart for the game. People tell me, I just need to wait for the regular NFL to start. Well, I use to condition at the gym, the way NFL players would. Those days seem to be behind me. Downer. The other thing…it really doesn’t matter who wins or loses. In the end, the benefit goes to the school and the player who shows he can be of use later on in the pros. The rest of them…it’s just school again.

That’s another cycle that will never end. The young faces at these colleges are now the faces of children that are the age of which I am now old enough to be their father. In other words, I have no idea who they are anymore. In the movie business we hold onto those adolescent ideas of “hope” or “dreams” for a long time. As the years behind become the years ahead…you start to whittle down the options. And most of the time, you wouldn’t want to waste it watching people who are chasing their future.

Bragging rights also don’t seem all that rambunctious anymore. I use to be more rabid when it came to shutting people down with the greatness that is Ohio State Buckeye football. Now…I’m more certain their success doesn’t effect me in the least. But I still enjoy the occasional shit-talking. Of course, it’s only fun if people care.

Sharanda Jones

In my bored ass time waiting for things to happen I come across interesting stories. For instance...President Barack Obama giving clemency to a convicted crack dealer...now on the surface I was like "man...pfft...obviously..." But the story itself is heartbreaking...if we have the chance to listen, I suggest we do so. Apparently in Federal prison, there is no parole...she got a life sentence...for her first offense (non-violent):

Sharanda Jones grew up in poverty in the small rural town of Terrell, Texas.  Her mother was paraplegic as the result of a horrific car accident that occurred when Sharanda was only 3 years old.  Due to her mother's severe health condition, Sharanda was forced at a young age to take on a motherly role to help take care of her younger siblings.  Life was very difficult financially.  In an attempt to overcome the hardships that accompany poverty, Sharanda made a wrong choice and began dealing drugs out of desperation to be able to sufficiently support herself and her family.
In June of 1999, Sharanda, along with two other individuals, were charged in a 7-count superseding indictment.  The 7-count superseding indictment charged Sharanda with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine) and 6 counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine) and aiding and abetting.  In August of 1999, Sharanda was found guilty by a jury in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas of only the conspiracy count and acquitted of all of the remaining 6 counts.

During trial, no producible amount of drugs was presented against Sharanda.  There was no evidence of any controlled buys of drugs from Sharanda.  No photographs of Sharanda.  No drugs found to be in Sharanda's possession.  Sharanda was convicted based primarily on co-conspirator testimony.  A majority of the testimony came from two individuals, who were both arrested on drug charges and pled guilty over 1-year prior to Sharanda's initial indictment.  These two individuals agreed to become confidential informants for the government in exchange for lessor sentences.  After their testimony against Sharanda, these two individuals were sentenced to only 7-8 years in prison.  Additionally, another co-conspirator testified against Sharanda that he was her supplier and supplied her with drugs.  The supplier's sentence was also reduced in exchange for his testimony against Sharanda and he was eventually sentenced to 19 years in prison.  All 3 co-conspirators mentioned have been released from prison.

Sharanda was granted clemency after 15 years. Her 8 year old is now 23. Sharanda missed her graduation. She doesn't deny what she did was wrong. And seems to have learned her lesson. I believe her.

Georgetown Underground Railroad

Georgetown University is offering preferential admission to their school as a sort of reparation for their school improving due to a slave sale back in 1848. Their descendants will be admitted on the basis of...well, you got me.

Would they have to take S.A.Ts? Write a recommendation letter? Prove...their heritage? Also, admittance doesn't necessarily mean covering costs either. Georgetown isn't cheap. I went to its ugly sister school at Loyola Marymount. Fuckin' private school is expensive, and exclusive. Good luck with slave trading there.

So, there are a ton of details I think inquiring minds NEED to know. For instance, how isn't this discrimination?  But I get what they're doing. They're trying to right a wrong and offering something maybe one billionth percent of the descendants will come out of the woodwork to collect. Like if I said "anyone who bought a Zenith television in 1990 and the tube went out, please bring your old set to Service Merchandise to collect."

To let you in on this awful joke, Nothing above I've just mentioned exists anymore. But come collect if you qualify.